New changer going in -- what's your preference?

[bigjws]

Going to upgrade to a new changer soon from a Rowe 1400 -- moving the Rowe to a different location, and wanting something newer and with more capacity at my main wash. Just seeing if anyone has bought, heard, or seen anything recently that might sway one brand over another. Main objective is simplicity and reliability .. I don't need any credit card or bill breaking options, etc.
I'm looking mainly at American, Standard, and Hamilton -- let me know of any opinions. Thanks!

 

[tdlconceptsllc]

Hamilton changer with Mars validator "none no higher for SS bays in my humble opinion" A simple workhorse you can't beat.

 

[Randy]

Going to upgrade to a new changer soon from a Rowe 1400 -- moving the Rowe to a different location, and wanting something newer and with more capacity at my main wash. Just seeing if anyone has bought, heard, or seen anything recently that might sway one brand over another. Main objective is simplicity and reliability .. I don't need any credit card or bill breaking options, etc.
I'm looking mainly at American, Standard, and Hamilton -- let me know of any opinions. Thanks!

That's a smart move getting rid of your Rowe changer, they just had a huge price increase on there repair parts and I feel they won't be around much longer. With that being said you can't beat a Hamilton DRS changer with Mars validators. They are built like a tank. A well operating bill changer is the life blood of any successful car wash. Don't buy by price, buy by quality.

 

[boywonder]

Got a nice used rear load hamilton if your interested. I bought it off a guy for a wash I never ended up building. Let me know if your interested.

 

[bigjws]

What model #, year, etc is it?

 

[bigjws]

Do any of you guys run the 'mega hoppers' that are in Standard's version? If so, any problems with jams when you have 9k of quarters in there?

I've been told Standard is more simplistic than Hamilton, and that Hamilton is a little overpriced .. anybody have experience with both and can elaborate a little? Do you Hamilton owners feel the extra cost is justified?

 

[Randy]

I sell and service both Standard and Hamilton bill changers. You can’t beat the reliability of a Hamilton bill changer with a Mars validator. I don’t who’s giving you information that the Standard changers are more simple than the Hamilton changers, Hamilton changers are about as simple as they can get. I don’t recommend using the Standard Mega hopper, they are prone to gear issues from the weight of the extra coins. There’s reason that the Hamilton changers are more expensive, it’s called quality. The cabinet on the Hamilton bill changers is a lot heavier gauge steel than what’s used on the Standard. The wiring is better protected on the Hamilton than the Standard. If I didn’t sell Hamilton changers, I’d buy another Hamilton DRS bill changer again in a minute. Don’t buy on price buy quality. I would never sell or buy anything made by American changers.

 

[boywonder]

What model #, year, etc is it?

It is a RNS with a XE Validator. I think the mfg date was 11/2002. Bought it like 5 years ago for a wash I never built. It does need a new faceplate, maybe a new validator, or at least serviced. Big hopper, C-2000 Controller. I bought it used, but didn't look like it got used very much.

 

[tdlconceptsllc]

Boywonder has the right one sounds like all this guy has to do is take the XE validator out put a mars kit in with the new style chip on the controller and a new faceplate clean it up and would be the best changer you can get. Age & year is just a number on a Hamilton changer as long as it's a rear loader and has a C2000 you in business.

 

[bigjws]

Thanks Boywonder, but I think I'm looking for something with a little more capacity .. I believe those just go up to a 4800 quarter hopper, correct? I currently have 6800 capacity, looking for something north of 10k. Thanks again for the offer, though!

 

[bigjws]

I sell and service both Standard and Hamilton bill changers. You can’t beat the reliability of a Hamilton bill changer with a Mars validator. I don’t who’s giving you information that the Standard changers are more simple than the Hamilton changers, Hamilton changers are about as simple as they can get. I don’t recommend using the Standard Mega hopper, they are prone to gear issues from the weight of the extra coins. There’s reason that the Hamilton changers are more expensive, it’s called quality. The cabinet on the Hamilton bill changers is a lot heavier gauge steel than what’s used on the Standard. The wiring is better protected on the Hamilton than the Standard. If I didn’t sell Hamilton changers, I’d buy another Hamilton DRS bill changer again in a minute. Don’t buy on price buy quality. I would never sell or buy anything made by American changers.

That info was from a distributor down here in Houston. From what I gathered the Standards don't have a separate control board, correct? The circuitry is in the hopper, so inside the cabinet is just the bill acceptor and the hoppers .. I assume that's what he meant by 'simplier' design. He also didn't particularly like American Changer -- of course, he doesn't sell them! It looks like I'm steering toward the Standard MC640 or the Hamilton 3600RL. They seem pretty close to the same price - being a distributor, can you give me a ball park for each? Mars validators.. Thanks!

 

[toddmullens]

Go with Hamilton. I have Rowe, standard and American. Hamilton, by far, is the easiest and most reliable of all of them.

 

[cebo]

I bought a Hamilton DRS in 1997. This has to be the best changer on the planet after I put mars acceptor's in. In 20 years I put a couple of coins switches in after about 10 years and finally after 12 years just put 2 new hoppers in. That's it. Never have a problem.

 

[wash4me]

We have a standard with mars accepters. Very few issues. It does seem like the wiring is chincy, you literally just have zip ties holding up the wires or they hang down and keep the door from shutting. When my distributor ordered it they didn't send the separate programmer initially and they also didn't send the right wiring harness to reuse my old mars accepters. One other less than ideal thing is they have reset buttons that flash to tell you the code from the accepter if it's jammed etc. They flash constantly and have incandescent lamps in them that burn out often. We finally quit replacing them. Seems like maybe they flash the same pattern the accepter does.